John Lee

Wright

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John Lee Wright, beloved grandfather, father, brother and friend, who left us peacefully at the age of 87 on August 10, 2024.

Affectionately known as "Meaty" John was born May 8, 1937, to the late Robert & Janie Brown Wright in Kershaw South Carolina. As a child growing up in South Carolina, John witnessed a very different America than of recent, it was a segregated place of hate, built by us but not for us. An attempted kidnapping at this time in his life changed him. He escaped by jumping out of a car and running home as fast as he could. "I thought I wasn't going to make it" he said.

He would soon move to Washington DC where he graduated high school in his adolescence, tried his hand at sports, particularly pool and worked his first job. He then moved to Englewood NJ where he would reside for 50 years.

Considered one of the best pool players of his time, John loved sharing stories of his numerous victories at the pool hall in Englewood NJ. He lived in the pool hall; he was so obsessed with the game that his mother would have to chase him out of the establishment and demand he get a real job. "I was a Pool Shark; it was how I paid the bills" he proclaimed.

He would soon meet his first wife Annie Mae in 1954. The two would marry and have five children, Barbara, Robert, Charles, Lavern & John Jr. John listened to his mother and got a job at The Englewood Department of Public Works where he would be employed for 30 years of awarded service until his retirement.

John loved good food, particularly meat hence the nickname, going to the casino, any music from the Motown era, and dancing his Old Man two step. "I once bust a move at the pool hall one night and shocked every one, they didn't know I could dance" he joked.

When asked what's the secret to a long life, John said "I didn't drink or do drugs"

John was preceded in death by his 2'd wife Dixie "Betty" who was his partner for over 50 years, Charles Wright(son) Annie Stancil (sister) Shirley Green(sister) Sandis Wright (sister) Eva Green (sister) Lenore Wright (sister).

Left with cherished memories in mourning: Annie Wright, Barbara Wright, Robert Wright, Lavern Wright, John Wright Jr, Frances Brown, Jeraldene Wright, Michael Wright, Walter Wright, Cecelia Wright, James Wright, Clinton Wright along with 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

He leaves behind a family that will carry his memory forward with pride and love.